Business as usual has the planet and our health at breaking point. Climate instability, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and extreme weather events are major challenges we face today. The Coronavirus pandemic has reshuffled global priorities. There’s an unprecedented opportunity to collectively hit the reset button and act to reverse the climate crisis. Our demands on our planet’s resources exceeds what the Earth can produce. We need to focus on actions that drastically change the ecological footprints of our lifestyles.
As we evolve we are influenced by personal circumstances, society and technological innovation. Our priority right now should be to educate ourselves on sustainable ways of living within the ecological capacities of our natural ecosystems.
A sustainable lifestyle means a healthier and more vibrant us and a chance at recovery for nature. Sustainability means less stuff and more time for creating experiences.
The aim of sustainable living is to use less of the earth’s natural resources, with a goal to heal our environmental damage for future generations. Change is a slow process, it’s about small things you do every day.
Change is a process, not an event.
Living a sustainable lifestyle doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are some ideas to practise:
Save energy and water. Small changes to your daily routine can go a long way when it comes to conserving water and energy. These small changes can translate into savings for you on your electric and water bills.
Reuse, Refill and bring you’re own bag. Use a refillable water bottle to avoid having to buy plastic bottles, get a reusable coffee cup to avoid having to buy single use cups and bring your own bags to shops to reduce the usage of plastic bags.
Save water. Avoid running the tap unnecessarily, take shorter showers and never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. Use it to water your plants or garden.
Adopt a low carbon diet. Only buy what you need and make use of leftovers, eat less meat and buy locally produced food as much as possible.
Limit waste. Landfill should always be the last resort. If it cannot be recycled, don’t buy it.
Go paperless. Speak to you’re bank to find out about the security and options available for you to receive you’re post by email. Also when out shopping ask shops to email you receipts rather than print them.
Vote and get involved. Sustainability and climate change are hugely affected by how we vote. Every vote counts to get the right people elected so change can happen.
Sustainable gifts. Use biodegradable wrapping paper, also old newspapers and magazines to wrap presents. Support local artists and community (street) markets. You can also give experiences instead of materialistic things ( nature hike, picnic, home cooked meal).
Keep house plants. Being able to look after plants and flowers can boost you’re mood and creativity, also add a touch of nature indoors.
Protect the bees. Avoid the use of pesticides on plants in your garden, they are harmful to bees. Make sure the plants you buy are not pre-treated with neonics pesticides.
A big part of sustainability is letting go of what was and make room for what is, embracing a different mindset.
Gemsbok- a large antelope native to the Kalahari desert. Southern Africa
Actions speak louder than words and improvements require rethinking, action, regular learning, feedback and reflection. Giving time is more valuable than giving money. Our fate is tied to the fate of the planet on which we all depend. Our actions to live more sustainably can protect and restore the planet’s ecosystems and this will translate into clean water, healthy foods, a stable climate and a better chance at a healthier planet for generations to come. A healthy ecosystem can improve our sense of wellbeing (improved health, reduced stress, more creativity).
We all possess the potential to change for the better. Change can be difficult so we have to focus on progress, not getting it perfect from the start. Perfectionism is a mindset that eats at you and your progress. It’s important to start immediately, educate ourselves and get involved in making change happen.
Life can be really simple if we allow it. Sustainability is built on mutually supportive communities. Our world and wellbeing is worth the fight to make our lifestyles more sustainable.
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